The Short Game

Today's other stories in brief

Home of golf's Castle

It is only the seventh time in more than 600 years that a golf course has been named at St Andrews Links, but last week a new name was added to the six courses headed up by the world-famous Old Course.

After a competition which attracted more than 4,000 entries from around the world, the new St Andrews Links course is called the Castle Course.

The name reflects the history of the headland to the southeast of St Andrews, where Kinkell Castle once stood in the Middle Ages.

The winner of the competition who suggested the Castle Course is Edwin Burtnett, from the US. He was selected after a random draw of all those who had suggested the winning name.

Burtnett will be invited to the opening ceremony of the course next spring and will play one of the first rounds on the new course.

The Castle Course has been designed by David McLay Kidd, a Scot who has gained worldwide renown for his work on courses such as Bandon Dunes in Oregon, Nanea in Hawaii and Queenwood in Surrey.

The 220-acre, cliff-top course is expected to open for full play next spring and each hole will feature five tees to cater for all levels of ability. The par-71 layout will range in length from 5,600 to 7,200 yards. As with the existing six St Andrews Links courses, the Castle Course will be public.

On course for record

World-record hopeful Glenn Turner is celebrating playing at 300 18-hole golf courses in just 292 days. The 47-year-old from Preston is into the 10th month of his year-long record attempt and looks set to achieve his target of playing over 365 courses during that period, despite the prevailing wet and windy weather.

Turner has played courses in Ireland, Spain, Scotland, Wales and England and is set to finish his tour on March 31st at Nigel Mansell's Woodbury Park Golf Course in Devon.

The professional golf tutor has taken a year off coaching, left his family behind and travelled in a customised motor-home in his attempt to raise €1.5 million for children's charities.

Island pair in Florida

Rachael Cassidy and Sarah Carty, both members of The Island GC, finished 34th and 43rd respectively in the South Atlantic Women's amateur tournament at Oceanside Country Club, Ormond Beach, in Florida, over the weekend.

Cassidy had rounds of 85, 88, 75 and 80 for 328, while Carty shot 78, 84, 90 and 82 for 334. The event was won by Kelly Calkin, a University of Maryland student, who matched the par of 72 in the final round for a four-stroke win with a seven-over-par total of 295 after earlier rounds of 74, 76 and 73.

Another American, Jessica Yadloczky, leapfrogged a bunch of players to claim second on 299 after returning a 68, the only sub-par round of the four days. US Curtis Cup player and defending champion Virginia Grimes shared fourth on 301.

Bradshaw in hot seat

Ann Bradshaw of County Sligo assumed the presidency of the Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) following the 113th agm, at Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa last Saturday. Bradshaw takes over from Ann Heskin (Douglas) for the next two years. Council members Alexis Graham (Northern), Kitty Horgan (Southern) and Helen Hennessy (Midland) were replaced by Deirdre Kearney, Phil Byrne and Deirdre Bolger following their three-year terms.

Attendees agreed to introduce a nominal subscription fee for junior members, and minor modifications to improve understanding of the ILGU constitution were accepted.

Guest speaker Ann Marie Hughes from Junior Golf Ireland provided an update on activities at junior level, while Pat McGrath of Miele Ireland announced details of their three-year sponsorship of the National Inter-club Fourball Championships. Frances Wogan (Lucan) won the weekend for two at Druids Glen Marriott, kindly sponsored by AA Insurance.

Brady still on fire

Eamon Brady's stunning performances in the Emerald Pro Tour this season continued on Friday last at Seapoint Golf Club when he won once again.

Having dominated the pre-Christmas part of the season with wins in five of the seven events, Brady resumed his winning ways in Seapoint with a 72, good enough for a four-stroke win over John Kelly, with Peter Williamson and Alan Murray next best.

The amateur winner was Tadhg Harrington with 32 points.

Hard luck on McGinley

Luck certainly wasn't shining on Slade Valley's Pat McGinley over the weekend, as he had to settle for runners-up spot on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, in the 12-hole singles event at the Co Dublin club, the 7-handicapper fired 23 points but lost out by a point in Class One to Ed O'Connell (11).

The other class winners on the day were Bobby Howlett (13) and Paddy Kavanagh (17) with 26 points, while a huge score of 32 points gave Pat Yeates, playing off a 26 handicap, victory in Class Four.

Then on Sunday, McGinley was runner-up once again, and again with 23 points, losing out by four this time to Tommy Byrne (10).

Brian Jacob (12) won Class Two with 29 points, while 26 points were enough to give Paul Murran (19) and Harry McSweeney (22) victory in Class Three and Four respectively.

Phelan doubles up

Different length of competition, but it didn't make too much of a difference to Kathleen Phelan at Dungarvan last week as she enjoyed back-to-back victories at the Co Waterford club. Last Tuesday in the 11-hole competition, the 19-handicapper finished with 25 points for a two-point winning margin over Bertha O'Connor (21). Then, at the weekend, Phelan made it win number two when firing 14 points to win the 16-hole competition.

Mahony on march

It was a good week for Malahide's Laura Mahony, who clocked up two wins in different styles of competitions at the north Dublin club. On Tuesday last she had the best score of the day in the 9-hole singles competition with 19 points, winning Class Two, while Noreen Farrell (12) and Mary Hughes were the other class winners. Then on Saturday in the 12-hole fourball, the 21-handicapper teamed up with Eileen Hanrahan (25) and they won with 23 points, Rosemary Byrne (12) and Mary Hughes (29) having to settle for runners-up spot.

... skeenan@irish-times.ie